/ ˈskruːpl; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
[ C , usually pl. , U ] a feeling that prevents you from doing sth that you think may be morally wrong :
I overcame my moral scruples.
He had no scruples about spying on her.
She is totally without scruple .
■ verb
[ v to inf ] not scruple to do sth ( formal ) to be willing to do sth even if it might be wrong or immoral
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from French scrupule or Latin scrupulus , from scrupus , literally rough pebble, (figuratively) anxiety.